Beyond the mere act of planting seeds and tending to soil, gardening is a deeply enriching experience that nourishes both body and soul.

However, whether you're a seasoned green thumb or a curious novice, some unexpected things could happen.

One gardening enthusiast learned this prickly lesson the hard way when a simple gardening task turned into a painful ordeal.

Joe was in the process of repotting his cactus when he made a split-second decision that he would soon regret.

In a moment of forgetfulness, he grabbed the cactus to lift it, completely disregarding the plant's defensive spikes.

In an instant, hundreds of the cactus's needle-sharp spines–also known as glochids–embedded themselves into Joe's hand

Joe shared a photo of his hand after his gardening accident. Credits: Facebook / Garden knowledge’s Joes

'Oops! I made a huge mistake when repotting a cactus,' he said as he posted an image of his injured hand.

'I had to buy wax strips to get them out.'

Cactus spines may look harmless, but they can be incredibly dangerous if not treated immediately.

Many describe the sensation as akin to 'thousands of needles pricking you at once'.

Although cactus needles are not toxic to humans or animals, failing to remove them from your skin can increase the risk of infection as they may harbour bacteria or fungi.

Additionally, if the needles penetrate muscle tissue, they can potentially result in abscesses.

If you ever find yourself in a similar predicament or experience pain and swelling, it’s recommended to see your doctor immediately.

Joe's painful experience is not unique.

Many others have shared their own encounters with the prickly plant.

One man recounted, ‘I was at a plant shop, and a kid toppled some cactus—I instinctively caught it and had spikes all over.’

‘I just yanked them out one by one.’

‘I used to keep a little cactus on the dash in my car. One day I braked especially hard, it fell, and my knee-jerk reaction was to catch it,’ another shared.

One person humorously thanked Joe for saving himself from his curiosity, saying, 'I've always wanted to touch a cactus to see if it really sticks [with] you, and this answers my question, so thank you for your sacrifice.'

Accidents can happen when working in the garden. While this had been a painful experience for Joe, there had been more devastating accidents that happened to others.

Just last year, a firefighter had lost one of her fingers due to a grim accident while mowing her lawn. You can read the full details here, but reader discretion is advised as it contains graphic descriptions of blood and injury.

Remember, gardening should be a joy; not a source of pain.

So, next time you're tending to your cacti or any other prickly plants, take the necessary precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Key Takeaways

• A man experienced 'hours of agony' after making a mistake while repotting his cactus, leading to hundreds of spines embedding into his hand.
• He used wax strips in an attempt to remove the numerous, painful cactus needles–known as glochids–from his skin.
• Cactus spines can pose a risk of infection or abscesses if not removed promptly.
• Other individuals shared their own painful encounters with cacti, highlighting the common yet often underestimated hazard of handling these plants.

Have you ever had a similar experience when gardening? Share your stories in the comments below.

 

[Andrew]

I've had a similar incident when pruning roses, clearing blackberries. Even when wearing gloves, thorns and prickles can penetrate.

 

[Penny4]

My mother has a mania with growing cactus. Some are downright dangerous that she grows. However, last week it didn't stop a thief during the night from cutting off her cactus flowers in the front garden bed. No doubt, they would have been deservedly injured.

 

[Liz]

Also don't forget bougainvillea thorns, thick gloves and long loppers when pruning them back hard.

 

[Macarj]

I hate gardening

 

[DLHM]

I hate gardening

Me too.

 

[Ezzy]

I have on occasions got too close to my cactus & had the fine thorns embedded in my limbs. No wax strips for me; just a pair of tweezers, hold the offending limb up to the light & start pulling. Some even tend to be so short they are only noticeable when gripping something.

A long pair of tongs l found is best for handling these or tie a rope around the bigger plants.